Anthony J. Hill

The use of computed tomography (CT) to estimate age in the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Victims: A case report §

The development of new imaging technologies is beginning to have an impact upon medico-legal death investigation in an increasing number of jurisdictions. Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging modality which is able to provide information to investigators without the need for a physically invasive autopsy in certain circumstances. The use of post-mortem CT as an aid to the identification of the victims of the Black Saturday bushfires is discussed with particular reference to dental age estimation. A case report is presented which demonstrates the ability of this imaging modality to separate individuals based upon dental development. Whilst CT is not yet able to adequately discriminate between differing restoration types and shapes, and therefore cannot be used for dental identification in the classic sense, the ability of this imaging modality to assess dental and skeletal development for the purpose of age estimation is valid.

Missing persons-missing data: the need to collect antemortem dental records of missing persons.

ABSTRACT: The subject of missing persons is of great concern to the community with numerous associated emotional, financial, and health costs. This paper examines the forensic medical issues raised by the delayed identification of individuals classified as “missing” and highlights the importance of including dental data in the investigation of missing persons. Focusing on Australia, the current approaches employed in missing persons investigations are outlined. Of particular significance is the fact that each of the eight Australian states and territories has its own Missing Persons Unit that operates within distinct state and territory legislation. Consequently, there is a lack of uniformity within Australia about the legal and procedural framework within which investigations of missing persons are conducted, and the interaction of that framework with coronial law procedures. One of the main investigative problems in missing persons investigations is the lack of forensic medical, particularly, odontological input. Forensic odontology has been employed in numerous cases in Australia where identity is unknown or uncertain because of remains being skeletonized, incinerated, or partly burnt. The routine employment of the forensic odontologist to assist in missing person inquiries, has however, been ignored. The failure to routinely employ forensic odontology in missing persons inquiries has resulted in numerous delays in identification. Three Australian cases are presented where the investigation of individuals whose identity was uncertain or unknown was prolonged due to the failure to utilize the appropriate (and available) dental resources.

The impact of contextual bias on the forensic odontology medico-legal report

As forensic investigators we compile reports and formulate opinions based upon contextual evidence relayed to us by agency investigators and police informants. However, it is this contextual information and the bias that it is inherent in its hidden meaning, that may often influence what we determine and how we construct our reports and opinions. A report which attempts to answer the question ‘is this a patterned injury?’ or ‘is this a human bite-mark?’ may well be influenced by contextual bias issues, and the resulting conclusions, if influenced by contextual bias, can have devastating effects for an accused person. This presentation will highlight case-work in which contextual bias issues created confusion in the investigative process and contributed adversely to the outcome of the investigation.

The recognition, recovery and preservation of the human dentition and dental structures following high temperature incineration

One of the roles of the forensic odontologist during Phase 1 (scene) of a disaster victim indentification (DVI) incident involves the recognition and recovery of all human dental structures. This not only involves the recognition of teeth fragments and skeletal elements of the skull and mandible, but also involves recognising human from non-human elements. The recovery, preservation and successful transportation of the remains assists in the success of Phase 2 (mortuary/PM data) and, ultimately, scientific identification. This part of the workshop will examine the techniques forensic odontologists use to recognise, recover and preserve dental structures when dealing with cases following high temperature incineration.